Women football teams welcome Marange sponsorship

they believe will bring a more competitive edge to the sport.
The 10 clubs which compete in the national club had to contend with an unbranded league last year. But on Friday a new era dawned on the women’s game when Marange Resources poured in an estimated US$3 million for the national teams and club football in the country.
Marange’s package came at a time when most clubs were struggling to fulfil fixtures in a tough operating environment.
But the diamond miners on Friday not only branded the league but also pledged to give each club playing kits and revealed that they would pay for some of the direct match expenses such as referees fees and a transport subsidy for the teams.
The chief excutive of Mufakose Queens Wilbert Rambanapasi described the sponsorship deal as the “best thing ever to happen to Women Football’’.
“Women football was looked down on, now that corporate world is coming in it makes us feel honoured and great.
We thank Marange Resources for coming in to complement us. We are happy that we will scale greater heights and will try to nurture the girls to our best,” Rambanapasi said.
In Line Soccer Academy of Bulawayo, for whom Botswana skipper Binang Otlhagile plays, reckoned that the package was a “precious gift’’.
Club manager Takundwa Chimudiya said the deal felt like a rebirth of the women’s game.
“The game has been rekindled. Parents are going to be happy since the girls were playing for nothing for a very long time,’’ said Chimudiya.
Cyclone Stars club secretary Langton Kagwere noted that a branded league was bound to inspire stiffer competition among the teams.
“It’s now a thing of the past to postpone games due to lack of funds.
“It was hard in the past to encourage someone to come for training sessions. There is going to be motivation to the clubs, and it’s now easy to lure players, since there is a source of employment,’’ Kagwere said.
Otilia Ngirande, the Flame Lily Queens team manager said the clubs would play their part to protect the Marange brand and preserve the sponsorship.
“We are one of three clubs that were sponsored but we are happy to be married to Marange. They have put a ring on our finger. Until death do us part with Marange,” Ngirande said.